The event
From October 13 to 25, 2026, Rome steps back into the international spotlight for the 21st edition of the Rome Film Fest.
Organized by the Fondazione Cinema per Roma at the iconic Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone, this celebrated festival turns the Eternal City into a global hub for film lovers, international stars, and exclusive premieres. Under the artistic direction of renowned film critic Paola Malanga (co-founder of Duel magazine), the event features a compelling lineup curated by an esteemed committee of industry leaders.
The official poster for the 2026 Rome Film Fest pays tribute to Monica Vitti, a timeless icon of Italian cinema, commemorating the 95th anniversary of her birth. The poster showcases an intense photograph taken by Sergio Strizzi on the set of Michelangelo Antonioni’s Cannes-winning masterpiece, L’Eclisse (1962).
Among the most anticipated moments of this edition are the prestigious honors awarded to two giants of world cinema: Javier Bardem for Lifetime Achievement Award and Tessa Ross for Industry Lifetime Achievement Award.
Program sections
The festival’s lineup is structured into distinct sections designed to showcase every facet of modern filmmaking:
- Progressive Cinema Competition – Visions for Tomorrow’s World: The main competition highlighting innovative narrative forms.
- Freestyle & Grand Public: From unconventional, groundbreaking works to high-profile films for mainstream audiences.
- Special Screenings, Best of 2026 & History of Cinema: Exclusive masterclasses, red-carpet premieres, film restorations, and archival documentaries.
Officially kicking off the festival will be Paolo Genovese‘s new film, Il rumore delle cose nuove (in the Grand Public section), selected as the opening title of the 2026 edition.
Planning your trip to Rome during the Film Festival? Book your luxury room or suite at 47 Boutique Hotel and enjoy an exclusive boutique experience in the heart of the Eternal City.
Discover more exhibitions and events
Rome Film Fest 2026 at Auditorium Parco della Musica: premiere screenings, award ceremonies and Q&A sessions with actors and directors.
The exhibition space La Vaccheria in Rome transforms into a temple of Pop Art, hosting a unique retrospective dedicated to the American genius.
Frank Horvat exhibition at the Baths of Caracalla until January 10th, 2027. 72 iconic photos blending fashion, travel and ancient Roman history.
Kandinsky exhibition in Rome at Palazzo Bonaparte from September 15, 2026 to February 14, 2027.
Herculaneum. The Art of Living exhibition at Castel Sant’Angelo: a jaourney through history and archaeology.
Vermeer at Palazzo Barberini with the iconic masterpiece Woman Reading a Letter. On exceptional loan from Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum until October 11th.
The Colosseum as you have never seen it before. Do not miss the exclusive evening tours to discover all the secrets of the monument symbol of Ancient Rome.
Aegyptus – From the Nile to the Mediterranean: oases and deserts in the Roman Era. will be Museo Nazionale Romano until November 15, 2026.
Moda in Luce exhibition is one of the unmissable events during summer in Rome.
Metamorphoses: Ovid and the Arts at the Galleria Borghese is undoubtedly one of this year's must-see exhibitions in Rome.